The normally mild-mannered politician made the outburst during a Question Time themed event at Paston Sixth Form College in North Walsham.

Students watch the political debate during the Paston Sixth Form College Question Time. Picture: DENISE BRADLEY

North Norfolk MP Norman Lamb revealed he would rather be part of a broken Europe than bow to the demands of American president Donald Trump.

The normally mild-mannered politician made the outburst during a Question Time themed event at Paston Sixth Form College in North Walsham.

He described the newly-elected leader as “offensive and foul” for his derogatory comments towards women and immigrants.

Responding to a question from the audience, Mr Lamb said: “I think Donald Trump is a despicable man who intends to divide people, not unite people. He blames Muslims, he blames Mexicans; he’s offensive and foul towards women; and this is the man who is now in charge of the free world - it’s a nightmare scenario.

“And I do not want to be in a situation where we have to kowtow to Donald Trump. I would prefer to be in an imperfect Europe than having to do business with Donald Trump.”

The controversial remarks were greeted with a round of applause by the audience in the college theatre.

Stephen Burke, chairman of the North Norfolk Labour Party, asked fellow panel member Tom Fitzpatrick, the Conservative leader at North Norfolk District Council, whether he was going to defend the prime minister Theresa May for inviting Mr Trump to the UK.

In reply, he pointed out the country has hosted numerous state visits but it didn’t mean they endorsed them.

District and county councillor Tom FitzPatrick (Conservative) speaks during the Paston Sixth Form College Question Time political debate. Picture: DENISE BRADLEY

Councillor FitzPatrick said: “I’m not going to defend Theresa May but what I will say is that, like people or dislike them, sometimes we have state visits. We had a state visit from the president of China two years ago and think of the number of people killed in China. We’ve had the Russian federation, we’ve had African dictators and Eastern European ones; it doesn’t mean we’re endorsing them, it just means we’re trying to do the right thing for the country.

“I do think the American people had a rather poor choice when it came to the election, with the two people who were the final runners, but we invite people and sometimes that’s politics. The American people made their choice, we don’t ask them to choose our prime minister and, sadly, we don’t choose their president.”

Norfolk County Council’s Green Party leader, Richard Bearman, argued all state visits should be cancelled and the money diverted to public services. He said: “Let’s cancel all state visits and let’s put all the money from all the state visits into the NHS.”